Exploring Jazz Arranging - Revised Edition

After his work with Bill Evans, renowned bassist, composer, and arranger Chuck Israels spent almost a decade as Director & Arranger for the National Jazz Ensemble. Drawing from this experience, Exploring Jazz Arranging takes a refreshing approach to the study of arranging and orchestration.

All of the fundamentals found in books on arranging are included, but there is so much more! 

Israels begins by stressing the primary importance of rhythm above chord voicing and the essential relationship between the “outer lines,” melody, and bass line. He goes on to discuss chord voicing and voice leading, common musical forms, then how to recognize recurring patterns in chord progressions.

Unlike other texts on arranging, Israels covers arranging for solo, 2, 3, 4, and 5 voices. He describes how to write for the individual instruments in the rhythm section, and gradually gets into writing for combos and smaller ensembles. Only the final third of the book discusses writing specifically for big band.

Spiral bound, 187 pages, Table of Contents. Includes a free download with audio for each musical example.

Sample Pages & Audio Examples: 

• Page 2 
• Page 6 
  • Example 2-1
• Page 22 
  • Example 3-7
• Pages 41-43 
  • Example 5-1
• Pages 61-63 
  • Example 6-1
• Pages 85-88
  • Example 8-3

Endorsements:

“As a bassist who has anchored some of jazz music’s most storied rhythm sections, Chuck Israels brings a perspective to arranging that is truly singular. Having played many of his arrangements over the years, I can attest that they both sound and feel great to play. This book provides a window into his process, making it an invaluable resource not only to me, but to all jazz arrangers.”
— Alan Ferber, Assistant Director, BMI Jazz Composers Workshop

“Several years ago, Chuck Israels gave me a pre-publication copy of this book. I was fascinated with his presentation. Obviously, he has a very deep and personal knowledge of the craft. Having studied arranging and orchestration for most of my life, I am drawn to these somewhat original ways of thinking about this noble endeavor. I'm sure you will find many new ideas in these pages, regardless of how schooled you are in this field. Thank you for sharing your elegant thoughts, Chuck.”
— Larry Dunlap, arranger/composer/pianist

“This unique arranging book not only deals with the nuts and bolts of the craft but, unlike other writers on this subject, Chuck Israels embraces and exposes the true and deep musical issues. There's much to be learned here for arrangers on all levels.”
— David Berger, composer/arranger/bandleader